Betta Skirt Red Betta Flax 4cm

Betta Skirt Red Betta Flax

The world of wild bettas is just as expansive as tetras or cichlids with a range of bettas coming from different environments, sporting different colours, growing to different sizes and even having different breeding methods. For the aquarists looking to start off with their first wild species, the Betta Flax would be a fantastic consideration. This is a peaceful betta species that can even be housed in a colony setting and only reach a maximum size of 5cm which makes them perfect for a nano aquarium.

The Betta Flax is very simplistic but elegant in their colouration and really is the perfect fish for a Blackwater environment. Their body colour is a unique creamy purple look with a darker brown nape. The scales are all tipped with iridescent jade green scales in males along with patches of green on the face. This green is also present as a ring on the ventral and tail fin which is contrasted with black. Males also have really cute cheek spots which makes them look like they are blushing. These fish are also called Red Skirt Bettas because of how the fins can develop a wine-red colour when the males are in breeding colours. Both males and females also have faint, broken lateral lines with it being more prominent in females.

The Betta Flax is a species that really does best in a dedicated aquarium setting. Breeding these fish in captivity is an incredibly fun process and will be incredibly rewarding, It will also be a great way to spread an underrated fish in the aquarium hobby. From a fairly small size these fish can be sexed however since these fish are incredibly peaceful and can be kept in a colony setting it would be great to get a group and let them pair off. Betta Falx is a mouth-brooding species, the male will incubate fertilized eggs for around two weeks before releasing fully formed fry which can then be separated and grown out.

Tank Recommendations for your Betta Flax

The aquarium conditions for Betta Flax are not all that hard to achieve and these fish can be kept in a very simple setup. As these fish reach around 5cm long but should be kept in a group setting a volume of 75 litres would be great. Using an aqua soil or low PH buffering substrate with driftwood, botanicals and plants with a sponge filter would be a perfect setup for them.
Temperature wise these fish can be kept on the cooler side with the ideal range being between 22-24 degrees.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Ideally, it is best to keep these fish in a species-only environment however, they are very peaceful fish and will get along with a range of nanofish.

Usually Compatible

Chilli Rasboras, Celestial Pearl Danios, Emerald Rasboras, Common Pencil Fish, Neon Tetras, and similar small, peaceful species.

Sometimes Compatible

Potentially larger species like Gold Gourami, Betta Macrostoma, Giant Danios, and similar species would be too fast or aggressive for these soft-natured fish.

Rarely Compatible

Larger fast or aggressive species such as Oscars, Parrot Fish, Kissing Gourami, and similar species.

Feeding your Betta Flax

Betta Flax can be incredibly shy when first introduced into the aquarium. Because of this, there should be a range of foods ready to go in order to entice them to eat. They should however take to flakes and nano pellets quite easily once settled into the aquarium. They can also be supplemented with frozen foods like mysis shrimp or live foods like brine shrimp.